Formula 1 invades Lion City, into the night!

September 28 2008

Sunday, Overcast

Location: Marina Bay Street Circuit

    Formula 1 has always been the sport that captures my attention, and when Singapore announced that it was hosting a street race in 2008, and a night race to be exact, I stood up and noticed. My city, my place of birth, my pride and my joy, was finally up for the challenge.. How it used to complain about the scarcity of land and space in the tiny Republic, and now its turning the streets of downtown Singapore into an F1 track..

The visibility concerns proved unfounded, the predicted thunderstorms never came, and the drivers quickly discovered they could overtake. The inaugural Singapore Grand Prix, the first Formula One event under lights, was a huge success and produced one of the most fascinating races of the season.

   A race which was totally unpredictable right from the start, which saw Felipe Massa starting from pole, there were signs of rain but they never came.. Felipe Massa's race was ruined by a faulty red light in the Ferrari pits, where he sped off before the refueling pump was taken off his fuel tank, which caused disarray in the Ferrari garage. No one was hurt in that incident though one of Ferrari's crew member was dragged to the ground when Massa sped off.. There were a few incidents and crashes, 2 safety cars were deployed.. Kimi again was unlucky when he hit the wall with 6 laps to go, with his title challenge hanging by a thread. Renault's Fernando Alonso was the first night race winner, and it was Renault's first win in more than 2 seasons, championship leader Lewis Hamilton came in 2nd while Nico Rosberg was 3rd for Williams.. Some say Alonso's team mate's crash helped his cause, but on paper it was Alonso who did all the hard work, a perfect drive all night, everyone worked well to achieve this, no mistakes whatsoever, and a little wee bit of luck brought them this historic win in Singapore
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggested that the Singapore Grand Prix could very well be F1's jewel in the crown, if they continued hosting races as successful as this inaugural GP, certainly sending shivers down the spines of the organisers of the Monaco Grand Prix. My brother Duncan was there for qualifying, and boy he was happy! Its not easy to get a chance to see a Formula 1 car, yet alone at night racing!
   I'm glad that I was part of such an historic event in the name of sport and automobile racing.. The first ever night race in history, on a street circuit, in my birthplace and hometown, won by Fernando Alonso, is all so sweet. Even though I couldn't be there to witness it, I was hooked on the TV for the live broadcast, and definitely for next year, one way or the other, I'm definitely going there to witness this extraordinary spectacle.. I'm so proud of Singapore, and I love you Lion City, this is where I belong. One day you'd be mine, one day I'll return to your shores and grace your magnificent skyline, mark my words

And has its so-called prosperous neighbour ran into hiding with its recent shameful politicking?

   The Dark Racer, revving off for now=)